Page 771 - Week 03 - Tuesday, 8 March 2016
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MR GENTLEMAN: The three variations to the territory plan—332 Narrabundah, 333 Griffith and 334 Red Hill—are for sites in Narrabundah, Griffith and Red Hill and were part of the omnibus draft variations to the territory plan that were publicly released in 2015. The territory plan variations seek to implement elements of the ACT government public housing renewal program and will facilitate residential redevelopment of the three sites. This will allow the Community Services Directorate to update its ageing public housing portfolio and to better respond to the needs of public housing tenants. All three variations seek to rezone blocks in Narrabundah, Griffith and Red Hill to allow for new development and also greater density consistent with our urban renewal agenda. One of the key benefits arising from the rezoning of these parcels of land is that it will provide opportunities for a diversity of housing types and densities in the inner south.
Draft variations 332 Narrabundah and 333 Griffith were released for public comment between 2 July last year and 17 August. Draft variation 332 Narrabundah attracted 26 submissions. The main issues raised related to building heights, density of development, traffic and parking, and landscaping and open space. A report on consultation was prepared responding to the issues raised in these submissions.
Draft variation 333 Griffith attracted 17 submissions. The main issues raised related to building heights, density of development, traffic and parking, and the loss of part of the Light Street-Evans Crescent open space. A report on consultation was also prepared for draft variation 333 responding to the issues raised in the submissions.
As a result of the issues raised in the public submissions, supplementary traffic studies were undertaken for both the Narrabundah and Griffith sites to address traffic and parking concerns raised by residents. Roads ACT has reviewed the traffic studies and confirmed for Narrabundah that the impact is not significant and can be managed with existing infrastructure provisions. For Griffith there will be some impact on intersection operations in the vicinity, and this will be included in the TAMS residential street improvement program.
Draft variations 332 Narrabundah and 333 Griffith were not amended as part of the public notification or as a result of the supplementary traffic studies. This is primarily because both draft variations contain provisions that seek to manage and minimise the potential impacts of the redevelopment of the sites.
Draft variations include a number of amendments to the Narrabundah and Griffith precinct codes relating to desired character, building height, setbacks, pedestrian access, landscape character and visual corridor. I was reassured in approving the variations that the increased building heights primarily front an oval and therefore have minimal impact on the existing residences in Narrabundah and Griffith for the heights are appropriate and for a major transport corridor and already well-developed commercial centre.
I am satisfied that the issues raised by the community both during the extensive pre-consultation activities and during the statutory public notification period have been adequately addressed. As such, I did not feel it necessary to refer the variations to the Standing Committee on Planning, Environment and Territory and Municipal Services.
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